Jeff Neal, of Pasadena, was a four-year starter for Howard Payne at the offensive guard. He was All-Texas Intercollegiate Athletic Association and All-American as a junior and senior in 1988 and 1989. Neal also was named an NAIA Scholar Athlete. As a junior in track and field, he won discus in the TIAA championship meet and was All-American. After graduating from Howard Payne in 1990, Neal played two seasons in the NFL with the Houston Oilers, three seasons in the Arena Football League, and one in the Canadian Football League. In 1993, while a member of the Houston Oilers practice squad, he was honored as the NFL’s “Strongest Man.” In 1998 and 1999, Neal won consecutive World Powerlifting Championships. In 2000, he established Team Impact Ministries, an evangelical organization providing inspirational speakers to churches and schools around the country and internationally. He also was named to the Pasadena ISD Hall of Fame in 2023.